New Mexico sheriffs: No red-flag gun laws needed

The New Mexico Sheriff's Association opposes so-called red-flag gun legislation, and at least two sheriffs say they'll refuse to enforce it if it becomes law. San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari sent an email on the association's behalf to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's office last week outlining eight ways sheriffs believe current laws already "address individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others," according to a copy obtained by The New Mexican. "We're not going to support any new legislation," Ferrari said in an interview when asked about the email and the association's position. "We feel there are ample laws already." Ferrari added that if the Legislature passed the bill in its current form, he would not enforce the new law in his county. A bill allowing for "extreme risk protection orders" would let law enforcement obtain a court order to remove guns from people considered dangerous. "It's going to be a matter we're going to have to take to the Supreme Court," he said. Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace, who chairs the association, confirmed the group would not support the current bill and that he would not enforce such a law in his county. "The general consensus is we're not going to enforce any law that we deem unconstitutional," he said. Ferrari's email to the Governor's Office did not explicitly state the association would not support any form of the legislation, nor did it say sheriffs would not enforce such legislation if approved. But the group's stance could again put sheriffs and Lujan Grisham's administration at odds over gun control during the lawmaking session that convenes in Santa Fe in January. Numerous sheriffs opposed a law passed earlier this year that expanded background checks to nearly all private gun sales, and at least 26 county commissions approved so-called Second Amendment sanctuary ordinances in opposition...MORE